I’ve always wanted to go to Philadelphia to see Independence Hall, the Liberty Bell, etc. Stories like this are what keep me away.
The historic area (Society Hill) is OK. The nice areas are safe except for right after school and very late at night.
That's understandable. This was in the southern portion of "North Philly." If you stick to Center City, it's usually OK, or at least it was a half-dozen years ago. I was there visiting a son who was in grad school at U-Penn. He grew to dislike Philly because of incidents like this. But, when I was there, I went to a great museum, patted the Rocky statue, and made sure I was in a usually safe area, since the wife and I are too old to run or fight very well.
Independence Hall & Liberty Bell area is fine during daylight open hours. (tough to find decent parking, be prepared to spend $20 or more for a few hours) Just don’t stop for long (run a red light if you feel threatened) or go anywhere to either side of Broad Street after dark. Once you’re North of Elkins Park on Broad or back on 95 you’re okay (well except for idiot drivers)
Valley Forge is fine and well worth a visit, they’ve re-done a lot of the area and it’s quite nice.
I personally know of a young person who served over a year in jail for being peripherally involved in a little skirmish involving some white Catholic suburban kids and a couple of gay guys. The gay guys started the altercation by spitting on one of the girls in the Catholic group. Testimony was accepted by a “youth” (immunity given) who stole the gay guys’ backpacks when they were involved in fighting and someone who saw something from a window a block away. No real injuries except some broken glasses and minor scrapes. “Mayor Kenney” wanted to gain some political clout.
Bet these “teens” in this case don’t even face a hearing, let alone a trial.